Highguard Releases Final Major Update Ahead of Shutdown After Voluntary Developer Crunch
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Highguard has received its final major update ahead of its March 12 shutdown, delivered by a volunteer skeleton crew of developers who pushed through a final crunch to release new characters, weapons, and skill trees for the community.
As Highguard prepares to close its servers on March 12, developer Wildlight has rolled out one final, substantial update for the shooter. The release arrives following significant studio layoffs that left behind only a skeleton crew. According to statements from the development team, this remaining group was not asked to push out new content, but instead volunteered to finish and ship the patch as a parting gift for the community. Creative director Jason McCord shared details about the effort on social channels, highlighting the dedication of the staff who wanted to give remaining players something new to experience before the game goes dark.
The final update packs a surprising amount of content, considering the circumstances. Players can now test out a new warden named Koldo, a spectral warrior trapped in ancient armor whose abilities focus on shielding teammates. There is also a new double-barrel weapon called the Switchback, which transitions between a standard shotgun and a marksman rifle depending on whether you are aiming down sights. In addition to the hardware, the patch introduces account progression ranging from level zero to 100 alongside four distinct skill trees. These trees let players spec into roles like Raider, Harvester, Treasure Hunter, and Protector.
While the timing is bittersweet given the impending shutdown, the gesture highlights a rare moment of developer dedication in an industry where games usually vanish quietly into the night. McCord noted that while some elements like skins and audio files are missing for the new warden due to the rushed schedule, the core additions are fully playable. For those who want to jump in and check out the new features, the clock is ticking down to next week's final offline switch. You can read the original reporting over at Rock Paper Shotgun.
Source: Rock Paper Shotgun
Tags: Highguard, Wildlight, PC Gaming, Shooters, Industry News
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun